Podcasts > How Did This Get Made? > Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

By Earwolf

Dive into the fantastical world of vampire lore with the latest episode of "How Did This Get Made?" where hosts Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and special guest Doug Benson unravel the thrilling final moments of "Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2." In this episode, they meticulously critique an action-packed sequence that keeps the audience on edge, as visions of demise and destruction unfurl with shocking character deaths that could have reshaped the Twilight universe.

Analyzing the climactic fight that's ultimately averted through a prescient intervention, the trio dissects the strategic use of Alice's clairvoyant abilities to alter the fate of the characters. Alongside this, they explore the development of Bella as she transitions into her new life as a vampire, embracing her heightened powers with fervor. The hosts leave no stone unturned as they parse the implications of these events, bringing fans and newcomers alike a deeper understanding of the saga's dramatic and action-packed conclusion.

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

1-Page Summary

Heavy spoilers now boil it up

Alice has a vision that reveals the potential dire fates of the characters involved, including a final battle with many character deaths. She presents this vision to Michael Sheen's character, who sees his own decapitation among other harrowing moments. This approach keeps the audience in suspense, as they witness what seems to be an inevitable battle, while from Alice's perspective, it is as real as any event that unfolds in the story.

Epic battle sequence with many character deaths

Commentators Jason Mantzoukas, Paul Scheer, and Doug Benson dissect the elaborate battle sequence, which sees a number of character fatalities. Minor characters and wolves take early losses, and significant characters like Carlisle Cullen are killed in dramatic fashion. The death of Dakota Fanning's character is mentioned with particular severity, and overall, the sequence is marked by intense violence including decapitations and dismemberments, driving the emotional and dramatic impact of the scene.

The 'battle' is actually a vision

The epic battle that captivates viewers is ultimately revealed to be a strategic vision shared by Alice with Michael Sheen's character. Alice's premonitory intervention uses her vision to prevent conflict rather than cause it. By manifesting a future where Sheen's character meets a ghastly end, Alice persuasively convinces him to avoid the battle, thereby saving many lives. She disrupts the vision with a physical act, firmly returning them to reality and highlighting the power and purpose of her clairvoyance.

Bella finally gains powers as a vampire

Bella, now a vampire, manifests her super strength and speed. Her abilities are powerfully displayed as she wins an arm-wrestling match against Emmett, affirming her strength and dexterity. Bella's excitement about her vampire powers is implied through her embrace of these new abilities and the joy of mastering them.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Alice Cullen, a character in the Twilight series, possesses the ability of clairvoyance, allowing her to see visions of the future. Her visions play a crucial role in guiding the decisions and actions of the Cullen family, helping them navigate dangerous situations and make strategic choices. Alice's visions are instrumental in shaping the outcomes of key events in the story, often serving as a means to prevent potential conflicts or tragedies before they occur. Through her unique gift, Alice contributes significantly to the safety and well-being of her vampire family and their allies.
  • Bella's transformation into a vampire in the story involves a process where she is bitten by Edward and then undergoes a transformation that turns her into a vampire. As a vampire, Bella gains superhuman abilities such as enhanced strength, speed, and heightened senses. These powers are typical of vampires in this fictional universe and are a significant aspect of Bella's new life as a vampire. Bella's adjustment to her newfound powers and her exploration of her capabilities are central to her character development in the narrative.

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

Heavy spoilers now boil it up

The latest twist in storytelling takes a dramatic turn involving visions, elaborate premonitions, and the potential for massive character upheaval.

Alice has a vision of the final battle and shows it to Michael Sheen

In a pivotal moment, Alice has a vision of the final battle, a crucial scene that determines the fates of the characters involved. She then reveals this vision to Michael Sheen's character, setting the stage for a dramatic unfolding of events.

The 'battle' is actually an elaborate premonition

What appears to be an imminent battle is, in fact, an elaborate premonition. This creative narrative technique presents a future scenario that holds the audience in suspense.

Michael Sheen sees his own decapitation in the vision

One of the most shocking moments of the premonition is Michael Sheen's character seeing his own decapitation. This harrowing sight highlights the stakes of the envisioned confrontation.

Many character deaths occur in the vision

The vision is filled with ...

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Heavy spoilers now boil it up

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Michael Sheen's character plays a crucial role in the storyline, as he is shown a vision of his own decapitation, which adds a significant element of shock and tension to the narrative. This event highlights the stakes and potential consequences faced by the characters in the envisioned confrontation. Michael Sheen's character's reaction to ...

Counterarguments

  • The use of visions and premonitions can sometimes be seen as a narrative cop-out, reducing the tension since audiences might expect that the actual events will differ from the vision.
  • Showing a character like Michael Sheen's own decapitation could be criticized for potentially lessening the impact of the character's actual fate, as it might desensitize the audience to the shock of the event.
  • The multitude of character deaths within the vision might be perceived as an overused trope to elicit emotional responses from the audience without committing to those plot points.
  • If the vision is too vivid and treated as reality, it could confuse th ...

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

Epic battle sequence with many character deaths

During an intense discussion, Jason Mantzoukas, Paul Scheer, and Doug Benson dive into the unforgettable battle sequence which features numerous character deaths, causing a range of emotional reactions from the viewers.

Minor characters/pawns die first

Jason Mantzoukas reflects on the structure of the combat, likening it to a chess match where the pawns are sacrificed at the onset. This comparison suggests that the less pivotal characters meet their demise before the more central ones, heightening the drama as the fight progresses.

Michael Sheen kills Carlisle Cullen first

In a pivotal turn of events, Paul Scheer paints a vivid picture of a confrontation between Michael Sheen and Peter Facinelli's characters. The two clash fiercely, jumping into the air during which Sheen's character gruesomely beheads Facinelli's character, marking the first significant death in the cinematic showdown.

Emotional moments with wolves falling into a crevasse

Compounding the intense action, Jason Mantzoukas shares his emotional upheaval when witnessing the scene where characters, including wolves, plummet into a crevasse generated by an elemental-controlling adversary. Similarly, Doug Benson denotes a poignant moment where the visual of a wolf falling backwards sparked a profound response from the audience.

Dakota Fanning 'gets it p ...

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Epic battle sequence with many character deaths

Additional Materials

Clarifications

...

Counterarguments

...

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

The 'battle' is actually a vision

In a dramatic revelation, it is disclosed that the intense battle scene was never an actual event. Instead, it's a strategic maneuver by Alice, as she shares a premonition with Michael Sheen's character to sway his decision.

Alice's Premonitory Intervention

Alice was not pushing for conflict but striving to prevent it. She clairvoyantly exhibits a potential future to Michael Sheen's character, including the dire outcome that awaits him should he choose to engage in combat. This foresight is her method of persuasion, aimed at convincing him to abstain from battle and thus, preserve his life.

The scene articulates the intense moment when Alice, through her supernatural ability, shares this vision. The visual climax is curtailed by a firm physical interruption. Alice decisively ends the premonition by kicking Michael Sheen, pulling both ...

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The 'battle' is actually a vision

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Alice possesses clairvoyant abilities, allowing her to see potential futures. She can share these visions with others to influence their decisions. Her powers enable her to intervene in events by showing the consequences of di ...

Counterarguments

  • The effectiveness of using a vision to prevent conflict might be questioned, as it relies on the assumption that the character receiving the premonition will trust and act according to the vision.
  • The narrative choice to use a vision instead of a real battle could be seen as a less impactful way to resolve conflict, potentially reducing the sense of tension and stakes for the audience.
  • The interruption of the vision by a physical act could be interpreted as undermining the significance of the premonitory power if it can be so easily disrupted.
  • The reliance on a character's supernatural ability to resolve plot points might be criticized for being a convenient deus ex machina, rather than characters resolving issues through more relatable means.
  • The scene ...

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Matinee Monday: Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 (w/ Doug Benson)

Bella finally gains powers as a vampire

Bella, portrayed by Kristen Stewart, undergoes a dramatic transformation, finally gaining her vampire abilities which showcase her super strength and speed.

Super strength and speed

Paul Scheer brings attention to Bella's newfound capacities as a vampire, highlighting her super crazy strength and quickness. As a new vampire, Bella possesses considerable physical prowess, a common trait among her supernatural counterparts.

Breaking things unintentionally

While there isn't specific content provided about Bella's initial struggles, her inhuman strength could easily lead to her breaking objects unintentionally as she learns to manage her potent powers.

She arm wrestles Emmett and wins

A tangible demonstration of Bella's vampire strength is her arm-wrestling match against Emmett, a fellow vampire known for his physical power. Bella's victory in this friendly contest marks a significant moment, showcasing not only he ...

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Bella finally gains powers as a vampire

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Paul Scheer is a well-known actor, comedian, and podcaster. In this context, he is mentioned as someone who draws attention to Bella's vampire abilities in the text. His role seems to be that of a commentator or observer, emphasizing Bella's newfound powers.
  • Emmett is a key character in the Twilight series, known for his physical strength and jovial personality. He is part of the Cullen family, a coven of vampires, and is portrayed as Bella's supportive and protective brother-in-law. Emmett's role often involve ...

Counterarguments

  • Bella's super strength and speed, while impressive, could be seen as a standard trope in vampire fiction, lacking originality.
  • The portrayal of Bella's physical prowess might overshadow the development of her character in more nuanced ways, such as her emotional or intellectual growth.
  • Bella unintentionally breaking things could be interpreted as a clichéd way to demonstrate her new powers, rather than exploring more creative or subtle manifestations of her strength.
  • The arm-wrestling scene with Emmett, while entertaining, might not be the best indicator of mastery over her abilities, as it focus ...

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